02 SEP 2025 | Mumbai
Tata Steel has won the prestigious 63rd R&D 100 Award in the Mechanical/Material category for the *design and development of API X65 grade pipes for hydrogen transportation. The innovation was led by the company’s Product Development Research Group under its R&D Division.
The R&D 100 Awards, often described as the “Oscars of Innovation” or the “Nobel Prize of Engineering”, recognise breakthrough research and development in science and technology worldwide. Tata Steel becomes the first Indian steelmaker to demonstrate end-to-end capabilities in developing hydrogen-ready steel pipes supporting India’s clean energy transition under the National Hydrogen Mission.
“Winning the R&D 100 Award is a testament to Tata Steel’s commitment and proven capabilities in creating innovative products and solutions that meet global energy demands. This award motivates us to continue investing in research and technologies to compete effectively worldwide,” said Subodh Pandey, Vice President – Technology, R&D, NMB and Graphene, Tata Steel.
India’s First Hydrogen-Ready Steel Pipes
- In January 2025, Tata Steel became India’s first steel company to demonstrate full-cycle capabilities from steel design to finished pipe manufacturing for hydrogen transportation.
- The API X65 Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) pipes were processed at Tata Steel’s Khopoli plant using hot-rolled steel from the Kalinganagar plant.
- These pipes successfully met stringent hydrogen qualification tests at RINA-CSM S.p.A, Italy, enabling them to transport 100% pure gaseous hydrogen at 100 bar pressure.
Tata Steel highlighted that the achievement is aligned with its long-term goal of Net Zero by 2045 and supports India’s vision of becoming a leader in the global hydrogen economy.
Source: Tata Steel Press Release
